Financing Adoption

Resources

RESOLVE has researched various adoption financing programs that might help defray all or part of your adoption costs depending upon the type of adoption you choose. Please note: The listing of any resources should not be construed as a recommendation or endorsement of these resources, expressed or implied by RESOLVE. We encourage you to explore the resources listed in the references below and to do an Internet search for additional options.

Adoption costs vary greatly depending upon the type of adoption. Listed below are ranges for the costs of adoption as of 2004. (Source: National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, a service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Foster care adoption, adoption of a child from the state foster care systems: $0 to $2,500

Loans

A Child Waits Foundation provides low-interest loans up to $10,000 to help defray the cost of an international adoption. Loan eligibility is determined by financial need; to apply, a home study must be completed. Marital status and age are not factors in determining eligibility.

Grants

Families can apply for grants for adoptions from the National Adoption Foundation. The grant program is open to all legal adoptions including public or private agency, international and special needs adoptions, along with adoptions facilitated by an attorney. Prospective adoptive parents must complete a one-page application and a home study to apply but there is no income requirement. The Foundation’s board meets four times a year during the last week of each quarter to award grants in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500.

The Gift of Adoption Fund also provides grants to qualified applicants. A home study must be completed and preference is given to applicants experiencing financial hardship. Average awards range from $2,000 to $5,000.

Employer Benefits

Many employers offer adoption benefits to qualified employees including financial support, parental leave time and/or access to adoption resources. To learn more about these benefits, check with your human resources department. If your employer does not offer adoption benefits, check out Adoption Friendly Workplace, a program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Employers can order a free guide, which includes information on how a company can roll out adoption benefits, as well as other valuable tools and information for employers.

Federal Tax Credit

You may qualify for a Federal tax credit of up to $12,150 (subject to income limit) for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child, including a child with special needs. “Qualifying adoption expenses are reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging), and other expenses directly related to, and whose principal purpose is for, the legal adoption of an eligible child” (http://www.irs.gov/). The adoption tax credit is an amount subtracted from your tax liability, meaning it is subtracted from the taxes you owe. In addition to the credit, certain amounts reimbursed by your employer for qualifying adoption expenses may be excludable from your gross income. Check with the IRS or an accountant for eligibility details. If you are in the process of adopting, keep every receipt in case you have to prove any expenses to the IRS.